Cowboy Church Elgin-Apache was established in Elgin, Oklahoma in 1999 with services held inside a horse arena. In 2006 the church relocated to its current location on US Highway 62 south of Apache, OK, renamed the Cowboy Church HWY 62. The church was built from the ground up by the hard work and dedication of the congregation. The church is nondenominational but is a member of the Comanche Cotton Baptist Association. The property the church sits on was initially leased to the church for 100 years by a local doctor and friend of the church. Since then, he has sold the land to the church for a song… a hymn of course! Service was first held at our current location in October 2006 with Pastor Paul Lutz officiating. Pastor Lutz left the church to return to his home in Texas in 2018. Later that same year the good Lord sent Dr. Dale Linebaugh to our church where he ministered until his death in 2022. Pastor Dale was a wonderful caring man of the Lord and through his Faith and foresight, the church grew in Spirit and numbers.
We welcome everyone as we continue to grow in Christ and fellowship. Our average Sunday attendance is roughly 120 so we’re big enough you may initially go unnoticed, but small enough we’ll spot you by the end of the service! The Cowboy Church Band leads us in worship, playing traditional gospel music with a western cowboy flare. We have a group of talented and committed ladies who ensure the coffee is fresh and baked goodies are plentiful. Every Sunday you’ll be greeted with smiling faces, a handshake and a hug. We welcome you to come, come, come Ride with the Brand!
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.”
- Romans 1:16
To bring together in praise, Message, deed and song, those who know Jesus or who are seeking Him. For there is no greater gift from our life on earth than to know that one day we will join the Father in heaven and reunite with those who’ve went before us! “Gathered in Love, branded by Faith, to be a voice of Hope, drawing others to God through Jesus Christ”.
Pastor Johnathan “Jed” Linebaugh came to the church in June 2021, assigned as the associate pastor, eventually assuming the role of pastor in March 2022. Pastor Jed has pastored for 45 years in churches located in Alaska, Kentucky, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Pastor Jed specializes in broken or failing churches and has had tremendous success bringing those churches back to life. However, that was not the case when he came to the Cowboy Church Elgin-Apache. Pastor Jed’s work at his previous church was complete, and the Lord called on him to assist his father at our church. Pastor Jed’s father, Dr. Dale Linebaugh, was the church pastor until the Lord called him home in March 2022.
Pastor Jed and his wife Debra have been married 45 years and have three children (nine grandchildren) who all serve the Lord along with their spouses. Pastor Jed and Deb reside in Fletcher, Oklahoma.
Pastor Jed has a Bachelor’s degree in Bible, Christian Education, and Psychology from William Jennings Bryan College, Dayton, Tennessee, and a master’s in Christian education from The Carolina University of Theology, specializing in Church Planting. He is a fundamentalist in church doctrine and evangelical in methodology.
Raised on a ranch/church camp with over 100 head of quarter horses and cattle in Pennsylvania, Pastor Jed’s life experiences and upbringing make him a great fit for this part of the Sooner state, and he and Deb are enjoying life in Oklahoma. Aside from spreading the Gospel, Pastor Jed is an avid auto mechanic and motorcycle enthusiast – although his Indian doesn’t get the road time he wishes it would. In 1997, the Linebaughs sponsored their first tour group to Israel, making the trip roughly every two to three years. You’ll notice on some Sundays Pastor Jed’s detailed explanations of the geography of the Holy Land, which brings his message even deeper in Scripture. He is a true man of God in every sense of the Word.
Pastor Jed’s favorite verse comes from Hebrews 11:6
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (NKJV)
The church elders are six devoted brothers serving Christ and the church. They meet regularly to discuss church matters and missions, manage the church’s budget and assist the pastor as needed.
First row, left to right, Pastor Jed Linebaugh, Billy Bridges, Don Tretter
Back row, left to right, David Finch, Jim Meyer, Dale Oliver, Craig Mosier
Billy and his wife, Janie, reside just a few miles outside of Elgin where both were born and raised. They enjoy the country life and own an auction business in Elgin. Billy was baptized as a youth in the Elgin Baptist Church and has been a member of The Cowboy Church since early 2000.
A favorite Bible verse is First Thessalonians 5:18
“In Everything give thanks, for this is the Will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (NKJV)
Dale was born and raised on a ranch in the Elgin area. After high school he played basketball at two colleges. Mr. Oliver became a Christian at 12 years old and was baptized at the Paradise Valley Baptist Church. In 2008 Dale and his wife Ranell began attending the Cowboy Church. He and Ranell currently live on a working ranch west of the church in the Slick Hills region. The couple have five children and 11 grandchildren. Dale does much for the church by helping our members, using his skills as a rancher and all-around handyman. He is proud to let folks know he’s moved a lot of dirt since joining the church!
Dale’s favorite Bible verse is John 8:7
“So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” (NKJV)
Don was born and raised in North Dakota on a farm. He was drafted into the US Army in 1972. After his service Don went to work for the Fort Sill Fire Department in 1977, retiring in 2003. Mr. Tretter then worked for a local plumbing company from 2003 to 2021. Don married his sweet wife Debbie on July 30,1977. The couple is blessed with one beautiful daughter and two granddaughters. The Tretters became members of The Cowboy Church in 2006, and Don was Baptized by Dr. Dale Linebaugh in 2018.
His favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” (NKJV)
Jim and wife Jean have been members of the Cowboy Church of Elgin – Apache since 2012. They had recently moved to the area and were looking for a new church home. After trying countless churches in the Lawton area, a friend suggested they try the Cowboy Church. They immediately fell in love with the warm, friendly, family atmosphere expressed by the members of this church. They felt loved and knew immediately they had found a home. During his career, Jim spent over 40 years in the food industry and retired from US Foods in April of 2016 where he had spent the last 25 years. Jim is a graduate of Benedictine College with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He’s a life member of the Friends of the Wichita’s and spend a good deal of time volunteering over on the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. The couple head up the Missionary Committee here at church and have a real passion for missions, both near and far. They have made numerous missionary trips throughout the world including six trips to Africa. It is a great way to honor and glorify God and they enjoy spreading the Word of Jesus Christ to others. Jim and Jean recently traveled to Africa on another mission trip.
A favorite Bible verse of Jim’s is Act 4:11
“This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone”. (NKJV)
David was saved as a child where he was raised in southern California. The love expanding my understanding about Jesus and His will for my life – mainly through Sunday messages and Bible study. David is one of our primary instructors of the adult Bible Study group. His lifelong study of the Word and insight into Scripture greatly assists our membership as they develop their understanding and relationship with our Lord. David and his family settled in northeast Comanche County, OK after his retirement from the U.S. Army in 2008. In his spare time he enjoys hunting and working outdoors. David works for the U.S. Army at Fort Sill as a Department of the Army civilian with plans to retire within the next couple years.
David’s favorite Bible verses are Genesis 1:1
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” and 2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness… “. (NKJV)
Mr. Mosier came to know the Lord in June 2021 and was baptized by Pastor Jed that same month. Craig carries a great deal of pride that he was brought to the Lord by Pastor Dr. Dale Linebaugh. Craig is a fledgling Christian but is growing in his faith daily! He volunteers as the church’s treasurer and helps other church members in upkeep of the church and grounds. He and his wife Brenda reside on their own little spot of heaven just outside Fletcher.
His favorite Bible verse is John 11:25
“Jesus told her,“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” (NKJV)
Dr. Dale Linebaugh, former beloved pastor and father of our current pastor Jed Linebaugh came to us as an interim pastor in 2019. Dr. Dale, a veteran of the ministry for over 70 some years, was so appreciated for his leadership, teaching, and organizational skills that he was asked to consider the pastorate as senior pastor of our church. He accepted and was mightily used of God to strengthen our congregation to become what it is today. He passed onto Glory in 2022 where he heard the words, “well done good and faithful servant” from the Lord he served. We will always be grateful for his time with us, and he is deeply missed by one and all.